Envelope machine



June l0, 1941. A. NovlcK .ENvELoPE nomma Fuga July so. 1956 .5Sheets-Sheet 1 f f INVENTOR Abraham Nov/ch BY f v v ,ATTORNEYS- June10,.194L A. NvyliK 2,244,723- i lErwmmxs MACHINE mea July so. 1936 5Sheet'Vs-Shet 2f' J l Ri Abra/1am Nov/CA M A ATTORNEYS BY K June Yl0,1941.

A. NoylcK ENvELoPE' MACHINE Filed'July so; 195e 5 sheds-shea 4- INVENTORAbraham/Vanaf BY v . ATTORNEYS A 2 June l0, 1941.

A. NovrcK 2,244,723

ENVELOPE MAGHINE` Filed July 3 0, 1936 SVSheets-#Sheet 5 ."myEN'rAoRAbra/7am Nov/ck A BY l A ATTORNEY S Patented June 10, 1941 ENVELOPEMACHINE Abraham Novick, Flushing, N. Y., assignor to` F. L. SmitheMachine Co., Inc., New York, N. Y., a

corporation of New York Application July 30, 1936, Serial No. 93,322

17 Claims.

This invention relates to an envelope Inachine, especially 'to amechanism for gumming the sealing flaps of a multiplicity of otherwisevirtually complete envelopes, and for disposing the gummed flaps inproper position for drying them without danger of unintended adhesions,and delivering them seriatim to a conveyor which may be associated withmechanism for drying the moist flaps.

The gumming and drying of sealing fiaps upon completed or partiallyfabricated envelopes is a known practice, but has not yielded analtogether satisfactory output, and it is a general object of thepresent invention to provide a novel method of performing the severalsteps incidental to the aforesaid operation in a manner which results inincrease of output amounting to about one hundred per cent for a givenperiod of operation; and it is also an object of the invention toprovide mechanism of a novel character for performing the aforesaidsteps more accurately, smoothly and continuously, as Well as morerapidly, than is possible with ex'- isting machines for the intendedpurpose.

In pursuance of the above general object, it is a further object of theinvention to provide runs of mechanism in each of which the stepsincidental to folding the gummedfsealing flaps successively intonon-adhering positions are performed under suctional control to anextent not contemplated heretofore, so that the source of suctionconventionally provided in existing machines of this general class maybe employed to a greater extent and in a more economical manner, withconsequent reduction in the initial cost of a machine, and in theperennial item of maintenance, as well as an increase in continuity ofoutput resulting from freedom ofthe need for repairs andconsequent'periods of disuse which are sometimes inseparable from rtheprovision of numerous co-acting mechanical elements instead of theherein described suctionally acting media.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the novel methodherein disclosed, and various of the mechanisms employed in carrying thesame into effect, are capa-ble of utilization in fields other than thatof the fabrication of envelopes, and also that physical embodiments ofthe underlying idea of means other than those shown and describedillustratively herein, may `be employed Without departurefrom theinvention.

Other objects and features of the invention will appear as thedescription of the particular physical embodiment selected to illustratethe invention progresses.

In the drawings, like characters of reference have been applied tocorresponding parts throughout the several views comprised in thedrawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a View taken on the line I-l of Fig. 2 in vertical, sectionalelevation, showing in schematic formthe operating instrumentalities ofan envelope machine in the construction of which the present inventionhas been embodied;

Fig. 2 is a similar schematic View, in plan, of certain of themechanisms as shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary, detail View in vertical section illustrating acertain stage in the operation of the feeding rolls associated with thegumming mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a similar fragmentary detail View showing a blank-bendingcouple in a different rotative position from that in which they areshown in Fig.` 1;

Fig. 5 shows the same couple at an advanced rotative position;

Fig; 6 shows the same couple Yat a still more advanced position; Fig. 7shows the same couple after the blank has been discharged to a furtherfeeding roll;

Fig. 8 is a View similar to Fig. 1, showing in schematic form, invertical sectional elevation, a modified delivery means for transformingenvelope 'blanks to a drying mechanism;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary detail view, in plan, of a'pair of auxiliarygripper means and associated mechanism; y

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary detail View in plan of the envelope andgripping means of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a View similar to Fig. 4 of the modified form of device forinitiating the folding of the gummed sealing flap of an envelope blankpreparatory to transfer thereof to drying mechanism; p

Fig. l2 shows the same parts'in a more advanced stage of theV foldingAoperation;

Fig.V 13 is a diagrammatic View of a still more advanced stage of thefolding operation; and

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary, detail View of a schematic character, invertical sectional elevation, showing certain of the parts of themodified In a now preferred 'embodiment of the inven- Y tion, selectedfor illustration and description, the parts designated generally by thereference characters F, F etc. are members of a framework or supportingstructure and these include side-members, cross rods, shafts, and likemembers to which reference will be made more particularly from time totime.

A conveying means, designated generally by the reference character C,leads into the mechanism from the left-hand side thereof, as illustratedin Fig. l, and comprises a series of table and roll elements II and I2which serve, in conventional manner, to carry a multiplicity ofenvelopes, or like articles E', E, etc., of a generally planiformcharacter, into the eld of operation of the several runs of mechanism.The latter are coordinated in 'pursuance of the invention to perform theintended series of steps making up the novel method herein disclosed.

The first step to be performed is that of gumming the flaps Il] of theenvelopes E', E, etc., of which a multiplicity are disposed along thelength of the conveyor C in serial relation, constituting a supply ofenvelopes each of which, in the present instance, is virtuallycompleted, having a body panel I4 (see Fig. 2) a bottom flap I3, andside flaps I5 and I6, folded over and adhered to each other in knownfashion. Other forms of envelopes, or of similar planiform articles, maybe substituted, if the same have parts analogous to the flaps Ill whichare to be gurnmed and then folded to non-adherent position, and dried,according to the present invention.

The envelopes are advanced by the conveyor C with their sealing flapsI0, as yet gum-free, in trailing position respectively, into the bite ofa pair of gumming rotors G and G, of which the lower element G is shownas a cylindrical rotor of usual, or any suitable structure upon a shaftS driven suitably, as by a train of gears Il and I8 actuated by a shaftS which may be suitably driven to serve as the main driving shaft. ofthe mechanism. The rotor G is mounted on a shaft S which has a gear I9meshing with gear I8 of the above mentioned train of gears, so that thegumming couple runs at a predetermined fixed ratio of speed.

The supply of mucilage, paste or other gumming material is contained ina tank designated by the letter G, and a roller 22 transfers it thenceto another roller 23 which is contacted recurrently by a gumming segment24 mounted in known fashion on an arm 25 fixed on shaft S.

Upon cranks 9, also secured to this shaft, is mounted a rock shaft 29,having arms 26 and an arm 21 the last named arm being biased inwardly bya coil spring 28, toward a cam 30 which controls its inward limit ofmovement.

This `cam 36 is xed on the frame F and a follower roller 3i on a pivot32 of the arm 21 runs on the periphery of cam 30. At the free end ofeach of the arms 26, a sector y33 is provided, being adapted to sweeparound into engagementV with each envelope E', E etc. in advance of thegummer segment 24.v The cam 30 acts to cause retraction of this sectionpositively against the bias of the` coiled tension spring 28, so that,at the time of passing the gumming roller 23, the sector 33 as shown inFig. 1, will clear the roller 23 and so will not be fouled thereby. Thebias of spring 28 acts4 to press the sectors 33 yieldingly against eachadvancing blank, as E', E" etc., and the sectors act to feed eachenvelope forward frictionally, the yielding tension on the spring 28compensating for various thicknesses of envelopes.

From the gummer means G', G", just described, each blank is advanced toa feeder couple comprising a rotor C and a rotor C", the former beingdisposed above the plane of feeding, and the latter below said plane.The diameter of the lower rotor is such that a substantial gap existsbetween the rotors G" and C, and in this gap is an auxiliary pair offeeding couples B and B", into the bite of which each envelope proceedsfrom the gumming couple G and G. At 4I the upper feeding rollers are outaway peripherally to prevent contact with the gummed area on the sealingap as the latter is fed between rolls B and B. The rollers B are mountedon a shaft 4U supported by arms 42 pivoted on fulcrum pivots 4 on theframe F, and are biased toward the idler roll B" by a spring 44, a stop45 serving to limit the range of swinging movement of lever arm 42 androll B toward roll B".

'I'he envelope, as E', proceeds from rolls B', B" into the bite of pairsof rolls C' and C, the upper rolls C' being secured to a shaft C3carried on the free ends of a pair of arms 41 secured to a shaft S3pivoted on the frame F, and which is biased rotatively counterclockwiseby a spring 48 attached to an arm 49 fixed on shaft S3. The rolls C areconnected by a cross bar 50, which is suitably disposed to be brought tothe position illustrated in Fig. 1 at the same time that the other rollsC are so rotated as to present one of a series of ports 5I in positionto exert upon the gum-free side of the gummed sealing flap I0 of theenvelope E a suctional force derived from a suitable source thereofthrough `a channel 52 having an open end adapted to travel along, and toderive suction from a face channel, indicated by dotted lines 53, in astationary part 53', at one end of the rotor C (see Fig. 2). y

As the rotor C turns, the bar 5B presses lightly -against the flap I0 soas to secure good contact with the margin surrounding the orifice 5I, sothat the suction will take hold; then, as the rotor C turns further fromits Fig. 1 position to the position shown in Fig. 4, the body 'I of theenvelope turns with it and is thereby caused to engage with theperiphery of a rotor C4, the suction though port 5I continuing, as thechannel 52 is still in communication with the source of suction, throughthe channel or groove 53.

The rotor C4, which has the shape of a ring adapted to revolve around abarrel 55, is provided with an orifice or slot 54, entirely traversingthe thickness of the ring and in communication with a face groove 56 inthe barrel from which a radial groove 51 leads to the axial bore 58 of atube 59. The tube 59 is in communication with the source of suction by aconnection (not shown), and as the ring C4 is turned counterclockwise itcooperates with the rotor C" to bend toward each other the divergentbody and flap portions 'I and I0 of the envelope E until the fold at thepre-scored top edge of the envelope, (i. e., at the usually scored lineupon which the cover flap of an envelope is folded over to close theopen edge of the envelope), is advanced between the rotors C and C1 tosubstantially the position shown in Fig. 5. The approach to thisposition is characterized by completing the cooperative turning of theadjacent circular portions of the peripheries of rotors C and C4 and bythe entering into action momentarily of a bar 60 to give a light squeezeto the fold last mentioned.

By a shim, or shims, 603:, the projection of the member 6G may beadjusted to vary the clearance space between rotors C and C4 in order topro'- duce at will a tight fold or a loose fold. Immediately thereafter,the channel 52 passes out of communication with the groove 53 and thesource of suction is thus cut off from the flap I0, but the channel 54in rotor 54 still is in communication with face channel 58, etc., andthe body 1 is therefore held against the circular periphery of ring'C4as shown in Fig. 5.

The short, flat portion 6| of rotor C", through which the orifice 5|leads to the face of flap Il), and against which flat the flap l hasbeen held firmly up to this point, is now succeeded, (at the mid-regiondefined by a line joining the axes of rotors C and C4) by a longer fiat82, the face of which is so far removed from the rotor C4 when therotors have turned to the relative positions shown in Fig. 6, that thereis ample space for the V-shaped leading end of the envelope to bedisposed out of contact with the rotor C, .the port now having beenconnected to atmosphere by a groove 63, so that the rotor C" no longeririfiuences the envelope-in any way. The envelope is held, however, asshown in Fig. 6, by the rotor C4.

This holding is no longer accomplished by the orifice: 54, which has nowturned out of communication with the face channel 56 of rotor barrel 55,and no longer exerts suction on the body 1 of the envelope. Thisfunction has now been assumed by the rst of a series of orifices E4disposedv around the circumference of the ring C4 in annulararrangement, as well shown in Figs. 4 to '1 inclusive. There is a set ofthese orifices at each end of the rotor cylinder C4, and the pair oforifices at opposite ends of a line lying in the periphery of thecylinder C4, one at each end, will be engaged each with an end of theenvelope when the latter occupies the position shown in Fig.' 6, andwill hold the latter by the suction available for this holdingoperation, through the orifices 64 of which there aretwo rows, one neareach side edge of the envelope, the active orifices communicating withports 55 and radial channels 68 of barrel 55 (see Fig. 6).

It will be observed that each port 85 is Wide enough to overlap two ofthe orifices 64 at once, just long enough for each orifice 64 to pick upthe blank body 1 by its suctionbefore the preceding orifice 84 has beencut olf from the source of suction by rotation of ring C4.

This advancement continues until the leading end fold of the envelopehas been projected to approximately a position shown in Fig. '1 where itis engaged with the circumferences of rotors C5 in each' of which aseries of sucker orifices 61 enter into retentive action progressivelywith the trailing body 1 and send it forward to the end of its, downwardpath, in the manner shown in Fig. '7, Where the envelope E is releasedby the rotor C5 just before the leading edge reaches a table T.

When so released the envelope passes down upon the table T, along eachside of which runs a link belt or chain D (see Fig. 1), constituting aconveyor of known form, each link 68 of each of the chains being fittedwith U-shaped members 69 having arms 89 between which the table T islocated. The upper end of each arm 89' has a space block or enlargement18, of suitable size and shape to adapt it for the formation, with acomplemental adjacent night or arm, of a com-4 partment D having at itslower end space enough to accommodate the V-shaped fold of one of theenvelopes E', E etc., each of which has, throughout its advancement fromthe rotor C", been free at all times from contacts likely to causeunintended adhesion between its moistgummed face I0 and the body 1 ofthe envelope which it is designed to :close and seal eventually.

In Figs. 8 to 14 inclusive, a modification is illustrated in which thesuctional effect of the orifice 5| in a rotor C8 of the type illustratedat C" in Fig. 1 to 1 inclusive, is supplemented in the rotor designatedC8 by a pair of levers 1| and 12 of the bell-crank order (see Fig. 9),having hold-down fingers 'I3 on their arms 14 which are biased to thehold-down position of Figs. 9, 10 and 11 by action of coil springs 15.This modification is intended primarily for use in operating uponenvelopes or like planiform articles made of paper or other material ofsuch a stiff quality that the suctional effect may be insufficient toprevent the article from stripping from the rotors or turning out ofproper alignment.

The spacing of the levers 1| and 12 is variable,

to accommodate envelopes of different widths, by

sliding movement oi the blocks 16 on which the levers are pivoted, as at11, said blocks being keyed to said shaft and held in place by setscrews 11x, Fig. 8.

The levers are rotated positively to release the envelope E (see dottedline position in Fig. 10) by action of a blade 18 (see Figs. 8 and 9)fixed radially on a rock-shaft 19 Vjournalled in the collars and 8| ofthe rotor C8, the shaft having a crank 82 biased to the position of Fig.9 by a tension spring 83, while a cam 84 fixed on the boss 85 projectingfrom frame member F8 is engaged by follower 86 at the-free end of thecrank. When the high spot of cam 84 is traversed by the follower 86, thecrank-shaft 19 is rocked to turn the blade 18 against the arms 88-of thebellcrank levers 1| and'12, and the envelope E' is thus released. Y

In the position or stage illustrated in Fig. 8, the fingers are shown asready to be effective although not pressed firmly against the blank.

'I'he release is timed, by suitably positioning the cam 84, to occur atthe stage illustrated in Fig. 12, after the envelope has been carriedaround to a region between rotor C8 and a rotor Y C9 which in generalstructure resembles the rotor C4 already described, both in elements andin function, so that it is provided with corresponding referencecharacters, part for part.

The rotor C9 has a characteristic mounting, however, being journalled ina pair of arms 90 (see Fig. 8), of which only one is shown in dottedline in Fig. 8, being mounted pivotally, as at 9|, upon the frame memberF8, each arm 90 being biased toward rotor C8 by a coiled spring 92interposed between the free end 93 of arm 90 and an abutment 94 in whicha bolt 94a: is mounted adjustably, to vary the space between the rotorsC8 and C9. Thus provision is made to compensate for differentthicknesses of blanks, and for foldsof varying looseness.

A fixed block 95 is accordingly provided in this modification, insteadof the shim-adjustable block 60 hereinbefore shown and described.

Having been fed through the pass Abetween rotors C8 and C9 insubstantially the manner already described, and which is illustratedmore particularly in Figs. 11, 12 and 13, the envelope E' is finallyreleased by shift of the fingers 1| and 12, and the-fold, as alreadydescribed having been compressed by the block 95 (see Fig. 12) theenvelope emerges as shown in Fig. 13 and is now already to be seized bya sucker arm 96, being guided by an abutment member 91 which extendsfrom a cross-bar 98 into position to be engaged bythe flap |093, theother side of the latter having been gummed by the gummer mechanismhereinbefore described (see G, Fig. 1) The resilience of the flap fold|01' is adequate to bias thepart 99 toward the sucker nozzle N, by thesuction of which the envelope is entrained as it passes down toward theposition illustrated in Fig. 14. The sucker arm 9B is now swung downwardbodily by the action of a link which works between a crank pivot |0| onthe rotor gear |02 and a pin |03 on the arm |04 mounted on rock-shaft|05, serving to oscillate a clamp |06 carrying the sucker arm 96.

In action, the sucker arm 96 rst is energized by suction derived throughtube |01 from a suitable source (not shown) and draws the envelope part99 against it as shown in Fig. 8 at; |09. Thereafter, the action of thearm 96 is similar in purpose to that of the feed rotor C illustrated inFig. 1 and Fig. 7, viz., to pass the envelope along and drop it gentlyagainst the table T of the drier, between two flights 69 of the linkbelt conveyor D which leads to the drier (not shown).

This operation need not be described further, it being understood thatthe suction is cut oif from the nozzle at the region |09 in time torelease the blank E', which passes between rotors C8 and C9 as seen inFig. 12.

I have described what I believe to be the best embodiments of myinvention. I do not wish, however, to be confined to the embodimentsshown, but what I desire to cover by Letters Patent is set forth in theappended claims.

I claim:

1. In an `envelope machine, the combination of gumming mechanism adaptedto gum a flap portion of an article, and rotary devices adapted to foldsaid ap to partially closed, non-adhering position and to advance saidarticle, said rotary devices including a rst rotary device having meansto receive said article and to hold the same by its gummed flap,deflecting said flap toward the body of the article, a second rotarydevice adapted to receive the body and to deflect the body toward theflap while the article is still held vb-y said flap, said rotary deviceshaving adjacent portions spaced apart and arranged to pass the article`between them with the gummed side of the flap spaced from the article,at an angle to its original path; means for compressing the fold betweenthe body and flap of the article; a third device to which said articlewith partly folded flap is delivered by said rotary devices,

said third device acting upon the body of said article to hold the samewhile advancing it progressively; and transfer means cooperating withsaid third device to receive and advance the article.

2. A machine of the class described, Comprising a rotary gummingmechanism adapted to gum a ap portion of an article to be gummed, androtary devices adapted to fold said flap to partially closed,non-adhering position and to advance said article to a drier, saidrotary devices including a rotor having means to receive said articleand to hold the same by its gummed flap, deecting said flap toward thebody of the article, and carrying said body through an arcuate path, arotary device to receive the body so carried around, and to retrovertsaid'body in itsV direction of movement deecting said body while stillVheld by said ap, said first-named rotary device and second rotarydevice having adjacent portions spaced apart to pass the article betweenthem with the gummed ap spaced from the article and cooperating to feedsaid article in retrograde movement at an angle to its original path; arotary means to compress the fold between the body and flap of thearticle; a third rotary device to which said article with partly foldedflap is delivered by said first rotor and second rotor said third rotoracting upon the body of said article to hold the same while advancing itprogressively, and a conveyor means to which said article is fed by saidthird rotor, for advancement to a drying means.

3. In a machine of the class described, in combination, means forfeeding seriatim a multiplicity of planiform articles such as envelopes,each having a flap portion to be gummed, folded and dried withoutadhesions; a gumming mechanism adapted to gum said flaps individually insuccession; means to advance said articles with the gummed aps trailing;means to receive said articles and to hold each by its gummed flap,bending said ap around toward the body of the article, and carrying saidbody through an arcuate path, means to receive the body so carriedaround, and to retrovert said body in its direction of movement, bendingsaid body toward said flap while still held by said ap, said firstnamedmeans and second-named means cooperating to feed said article inretrograde movement at an angle to its original path and having adjacentportions spaced apart to pass the article between them with the gummedside of the ap spaced from the article; means to compress the foldbetween said body and flap of the article; a third feeding means towhich said articles with partly folded flap is delivered by said rstfeeding means and second feeding means, said third feeding means actingupon the body of said article to hold the same while advancing itprogressively, and a conveyor means to which said articles are fedseriatim by said third feeding means, for advancement successively to adrying means.

4. In an envelope machine, the combination of means for feeding seriatima multiplicity of envelopes each having an ungummed open flap; a gummingmechanism adapted to gum said flaps individually in succession; means toadvance said envelopes; means for receiving and holding Said envelopeseach by its gummed iiap and deecting said flap toward the envelope body;means for receiving the envelope body and deflecting it toward said ap,said two receiving means having adjacent portions spaced apart to passeach envelope between them with the gummed side of the flap spaced fromthe envelope body, in a direction at an angle to the original envelopepath; means for compressing the fold between the body and ap; a thirdreceiving means to which said articles with partly folded flaps aredelivered by said rst and second receiving means,` said third receivingmeans acting upon the body of each envelope to hold the same whileadvancing'the envelope; and transfer means to which said envelopes arefed seriatim by said third receiving means.

5. A machine of the class described, comprising the mechanisms combinedand cooperating as set forth in claim 2, and further characterized byhaving said rsi; feeding means, said second feeding means and said thirdfeeding means respectively provided with suction-actuated means wherebythe articles to be fed are held suitably for the several operations offolding and advancement of said articles.

6. A machine of the class described, comprising a gumming mechanismadapted to act upon a nap portion of an article to be gummed, and a rstrotor adapted to feed said article in cooperation with a second rotor,said first and second rotor being provided each with a suction meansadapted to hold a component of said article, as for example the body ofan envelope and a loose flap thereof, while advancing said articlebetween said rotors and a transverse member carried by one of saidrotors and arranged to compress the fold between the body and flap ofthe article.

7. A machine of the class described, comprisingr a gumming mechanismadapted to act upon a nap portion of an article to be gummed, and afirst rotor adapted to feed said article in cooperation with a secondrotor to be described, said first and second rotor being provided eachwith a suction means adapted to hold a component of said article, as forexample the body of an envelope and a loose flap thereof, Whileadvancing said article between said rotors, a creasing abutment carriedby one of the rotors the other rotor having a limited portion of itsperiphery arranged to press the fold edge adjoining the body and iiap ofsaid article against said abutment as said article is advanced betweensaid rotors in such manner as to give a permanent set to the flap.

3. A machine of the class described, as claimed in claim 7, in whichmeans are provided for adjustment of the clearance between said limitedperipheral portion and an opposed portion of the periphery of thecomplementa] rotor.

9. A rotor, comprising the elements combined and cooperating as setforth in claim 6, and further characterized by having said rotor formedas a ring in which circumferential sets of orifices are formed, and abarrel on which said ring revolves, said barrel having a substantiallyradial channel, and a communicating axial bore, through which suctionmay be applied through said oriiices.

10. A rotor, comprising the elements combined and cooperating as setforth in claim 6, and further characterized by having said rotor formedas a ring in which circumferential sets of orifices are formed, and abarrel on which said ring revolves, said barrel having a substantiallyradial channel, and a communicating axial bore, through which suctionmay be applied through said orifices, said radial channel having a portof suitable size to overlap two of said orices simultaneously in part atleast, at the inner openings of said orifices.

11. In an envelope machine, the combination of means for advancing anenvelope to a predetermined position, a rotary gumming mechanismarranged to gum a flap portion of the envelope as it advances along saidpath, a rotary device arranged to engage and hold the nap portion of theenvelope when the latter is at said predetermined position and to conveythe envelope with its body portion out of engagement with the rotarydevice, a rotor cooperating with said rotary device and arranged to foldthe iiap to partially closed, non-adhering position and transfer meanscooperating with said rotor to advance the envelope to a drier.

12. 'I'he combination of elements as recited in claim 11 in which theenvelope is advanced along said path with the flap portion trailing andin which said rotary device has a portion of its periphery spaced fromsaid rotor by a distance suicient to form a free passageway for theenvelope with its flap partially open.

13. In an envelope machine, the combination of means for advancing anenvelope to a predetermined position, a rotary gumming mechanismarranged to gum a nap portion of the envelope as it advances along saidpath, a rotary device having a cylindrical peripheral portion and asurface inwardly spaced from the cylindrical surface plane of saidcylindrical portion, means for holding the iiap of the envelope againstsaid flat surface when the latter is at said predetermined position andfor conveying the envelope while its body portion is supported entirelyby the flap, a rotor having a cylindrical peripheral portion againstwhich the body portion of the envelope is conveyed and which cooperateswith the cylindrical portion of said rotary device to fold the gummedflap to partially closed, non-adhering position, and transfer meanscooperating with said rotor to advance the envelope to a drier.

14. A device, comprising the elements cornbined and cooperating as setforth in claim 13 and further characterized by said rotary device havinga portion immediately adjacent said surface cut away to thereby providea clearance space for the partially open flap as the envelope passesbetween the rotary device and the rotor.

15. In a machine of the class described, in combination, means foradvancing an envelope along a path to a predetermined position, a rotarygumming mechanism arranged to gum a flap portion of the envelope as itadvances along said path, a rotary device having a cylindricalperipheral portion and a surface located within the cylindrical surfaceplane of said cylindrical portion, a suction means operative upon theenvelope reaching said predetermined position to hold the flap portionagainst said surface, means comprising a movable member mounted on saidrotary device, means automatically operative upon the envelope reachingsaid position to cause said movable member to press the iiap portionagainst said surface, a rotor having a cylindrical peripheral portionagainst which the body of the envelope is conveyed and which cooperateswith the cylindrical portion of said rotary device to fold the gummedflap to partially closed, nonadhering position, and transfer meanscooperating with said rotor to advance the envelope to a drier.

16. A device, comprising Ithe elements combined and cooperating as setforth in claim 15 and further characterized by having the means mountedon the rotary device provided With oppositely disposed ngers, springmeans to cause the end portions of the ngers to engage the outer ends ofthe ilap and cam operated means to withdraw the fingers from the flap.

17. In a machine for making envelopes or like articles, the combinationof a rotary gumming mechanism adapted to gum a flap portion of thearticle, a pair of cooperative rotary devices adapted to fold the gummedarticle and lightly crease it between them, one of said rotary devicesbeing in the form of a sector and including a set back portion, suctionmeans for holding the flap of the article against the set back portion,the other of said. rotary devices including suction means for holdingthe body of the article to itself at and after the creasing operation,to prevent contact of the gummed flap with the article body duringcreasing, and conveyor means for advancing the article from said rotarydevices.

ABRAHAM NOVICK.

